Online learning from an accredited institution

Design Thinking Course

All we’ve been hearing about lately is “design thinking”, yet most people don’t know what it means. Design thinking is not graphic design − it’s about transforming the way you think, building empathy with users, and creating and testing prototypes before applying novel solutions. Within 10 weeks you’ll have grasped the concept and practice of design thinking and be able to transform the way your business operates and how you make crucial decisions with your users in mind.

Design Thinking is a methodology that relies on a human-centered approach to find innovative solutions to problems. It applies to absolutely everything - be it product design, a government service, or corporate raison d’etre.

“Absolutely loved my Red & Yellow online course! I did it all the way from the Netherlands while working full time so it’s definitely possible to do it in between your normal tasks. The team is super supportive and understanding if you need more time to complete specific assignments. Would definitely recommend!”

Noluyanda Nolu Roxwana

Campaign Manager at Studyportals

In partnership with digital transformation practice DYDX, Red & Yellow presents a 10-week online short course in Design Thinking. 

All we’ve been hearing about lately is “design thinking”, yet most people don’t know what it means. Design thinking is not graphic design − it’s about transforming the way you think, building empathy with users, and creating and testing prototypes before applying novel solutions. Within 10 weeks you’ll have grasped the concept and practice of design thinking and be able to transform the way your business operates and how you make crucial decisions with your users in mind.

Design Thinking is a methodology that relies on a human-centered approach to find innovative solutions to problems. It applies to absolutely everything – be it product design, a government service, or corporate raison d’etre. 

“Design thinking is a critical skill for outperforming competitors, capturing new markets, and innovating for future success and sustainability.”

Get the Design Thinking Certificate that guarantees career success.

A creative and empathy-led approach to problem-solving is a skill lacking across industries and is necessary to innovate for success and sustainability. Grasping the concept of design thinking will lead you to outperform your competitors and capture new audiences. It’s an approach that can be applied to any business, organization, and industry.

What you’ll learn

Design thinking is a future-proofing critical skill that is increasingly in high demand.

  • You’ll be equipped with the foundational theories and methodologies to approach complex problems from a completely different perspective
  • Learn how to conceptualize innovative, creative, and powerful solutions.
  • To create a functioning website

Co-developed with industry leaders, carefully constructed modules cover the key components of design thinking (theory, methodologies, processes), and practical assignments ensure that ‘what you learn’ is embedded by putting it into practice.

Why this is a critical skill

The digital age has presented ‘new’ challenges, to which ‘old’ solutions and ways of thinking no longer apply. The few brands that ‘get’ this continue to outperform the market. Labeled as ‘disruptors’, when the more appropriate term would be ‘innovative problem solvers’.

Their magic formula? Approach – the ability to look at a problem from fresh perspectives, distill its essence, and find innovative solutions that challenge or address the status quo.

Who should take this course?

This course is designed for people who are new to design thinking, frustrated with how to find solutions to current challenges based on outdated techniques and approaches, and eager to shape their career with a new, proven skill.

Our knowledge partner

DYDX is a digital transformation and innovation consultancy that uses design thinking to solve tough business challenges for a diverse array of clients.

This course is built and taught by Design Thinking experts who understand the value this discipline brings to business.

Understand and apply stronger decision making skills that are crucial for the next generation of work.

This course is ideal for people who want to create and nurture empathy with users, using creative thinking to create new solutions.

Be recognised with an industry centric Red & Yellow certificate, giving you a blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills.

Red & Yellow courses are made to future-proof your career

Our courses are designed to accelerate opportunities and give a boost to your CV. Top businesses across industries recognise Red & Yellow graduates as having the practical skills and the theoretical background to hit the ground running with confidence and creative flair.

  • An industry-sought-after Certificate of Completion from Red & Yellow
  • Original, relevant, and constantly updated content
  • An interactive online learning experience that includes videos, live chat sessions, forum discussions, and more
  • A team of course coordinators to assist you and Instructional Designers and subject matter experts to guide and teach

Our courses are both current and relevant to the South African context.

Applicable, practical assignments:

  •  So that you can apply what you’re learning to your everyday work life, and your specific business challenges.

Discussion Forums and Chat sessions:

  • Helping you develop your professional network.
  • Hosted by your coach, lecturer, or subject specialist.
  •  Ideal opportunities to discuss the content and get answers to all your questions.

Personalized feedback:

  • Tailored to your individual strengths, and opportunities for personal improvement.

A dedicated team:

  • Acting as your “virtual” support crew whose only focus is to help get you over the finish line.

Course curriculum:

Meet your team:

This course was created by, and benefits from, our full-time lecturers’ years of experience in the field – both in lecturing and in industry. They know how to nurture talent and bring out the best in students, resulting in many award-wins over the years.

Carmen Schaefer
Head of Academics

  • 20 years in education
  • Academic Team leader at Red & Yellow
  • Authors the annual employability report
R&Y Knowledge Partner Nevo Hadas

Nevo Hadas
Lecturer

  • Managing Partner at dY/dX, award-winning digital consultancy
  • Works with Ericsson, VISA, Google, Vodacom, Absa, unlocking innovation
  • Holds certifications in pricing, design thinking, leadership, Service Design
R&Y Design Thinking Expert

David Robertson
Tutor

  • Four-time Loerie award winner, industrial designer, innovation trainer.
  • Applies Design Thinking, leads creative teams, gamifies inhalers
  • Compass Crew founder, serves clients like Tiger Bands, Danone

About Red & Yellow

Creative thinking is the most important skill. Artificial Intelligence and robots are going to replace some of the jobs we know today.

Red & Yellow is the business school where talented people go to develop the career skills they need to thrive in this digital world.

Get inspired to study Design Thinking

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Design thinking is a process that can be used by marketers to understand their users. By applying design thinking, they understand, define, and redefine assumptions and problems and create solutions for the market. The most important characteristic of design thinking is that it is non-linear and iterative.

Because this process forces marketers to understand their users’ needs (and, in fact, broader needs), it results in ideas that can be prototyped and tested. This keeps the marketers close to the users and results in products and services that actually meet people’s needs — not just what companies think people need.

The five stages of design thinking are: empathise, define, ideate, prototype, test. Notice that there is emphasis on prototyping and testing, as well as empathising. This is important because it is what makes design thinking so useful. Instead of working apart from customers and putting a product or service in the market that falls short, this process allows for more granular market research and iterative design.

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